Statement by the spokesperson of EU High Representative Catherine Ashton on the fighting in Kismayo, Somalia

Europian UnionPress releaseMonday, July 01, 2013

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The spokesperson of Catherine Ashton, High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy and Vice President of the Commission, issued the following statement:

"The High Representative deplores the outbreak of fighting in Kismayo that appears to have caused the loss of innocent civilian lives. She urges all parties to immediately refrain from violence, exercise restraint, and let political processes be used to resolve outstanding differences. The threats that face the Somali people will in no way be helped by such a resort to violence.

Alongside the African Union and United Nations, the EU stands ready to support Somalia in re-establishing security, peaceful, balanced and accountable government, and in restoring economic growth. Those should be the focus of all action."